Although he took part in this morning’s practice, Devils winger Ilya Kovalchuk said it’s highly unlikely he’ll travel to Toronto for Monday’s matchup against the Maple Leafs.

The Devils’ top gun, who has 27 points in 32 games, has missed the past nine games with a right shoulder injury. The Devils are 0-5-4 in those games and just 3-for-33 on the power play.

"I don’t think so," Kovalchuk said after a brisk, 45-minute workout at the AmeriHealth Pavilion when asked if he’ll fly to Toronto with the team. "It doesn’t make much sense. I know our backs are against the wall, but we have to be realistic and smart (about his injury).

"I want to be out there as much as anyone in this locker room. But when you go out there you want to produce and help your team, not to get (the injury) worse."

Kovalchuk said that while he practiced Saturday, it wasn’t without discomfort. He participated in power play drills but didn’t take his signature one-timer.

"The one-timer wasn’t an option," he said. "I feel good but I still need a few more days to get the strength back in my hands and shoulder."

Coach Pete DeBoer said Kovalchuk is "improving every day," but he didn’t have a gut feeling on his possible availability against Toronto. He said injury status of players who sustained the type of injury that Kovalchuk has can change every day.

Being on the sidelines has been frustrating, Kovalchuk said, especially with the team playing hard but unable to score.

"It’s really tough," he said. "Sitting and watching, just every bounce it seems like it’s in our net or against us. Last year, we were fortunate in some of those overtimes and playoffs.

"This year, it goes the other way. But we’re a bunch of men here and we’re going to work as hard as we can and get as many points as we can."

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DeBoer said captain Bryce Salvador, who didn't practice today, is "doubtful'' on Monday at Toronto. Salvador suffered a bruise on his right wrist vs. Boston on Wednesday.

"It's not a setback, I think the extent of the injury was more than day-to-day," said DeBoer, adding that Salvador is still "pretty sore."